A Savage Heart

You ask so much of me, Oh Lord,

I have a savage heart.
I don’t know if it can be tamed,
Or even how to start.
 
You taught me how to live my life,
When You lived here on earth,
But You were born in perfection,
While I’m savage from birth.
 
You left me with the words You spoke,
The lessons and the praise,
And I try to live as You taught,
Despite my savage ways.
 
Oh Lord, I’m not sure how we’ll do,
My savage heart and I,
Yet this one thing I promise, Lord,
For You, we’ll always try!

Renewing Joy

When I get weary of the world

With all is pain and grief
You offer me a glimpse of joy,
A comforting relief.
 
Tonight it was a swallow’s song.
Each cheery little tweet
Restored the joy that I had lost,
And made my evening sweet.
 
I know the world is still out there,
Filled with fear and travail,
But in that moment peace and hope
Proved that they would prevail.
 
Tomorrow I will rise again,
Face life and carry on,
But I will hold that one moment

Until my pain is gone.

On This Milestone

It’s but a milestone on the path,

A day like other days,
Yet, Lord, I feel compelled today
To lift a special praise.
Thank You for bringing me this far
Across life’s ragged sky.
Thank You for giving me my wings
And teaching me to fly.  
Thank You for offering Your strength,
When mine proved all too frail,
Then helping me to rise above
Each storm, and to prevail.
But, most of all, I thank You, Lord,
Through all the joy and tears,
That You’ve loved me unfailingly
And will for all my years.

Lost Again

It isn’t easy being me,

And it’s harder each day
For when I think I’m on the path
I find I’ve gone astray.
 
I wander lost, more oft than not,
Afraid if I hit ground
And I’m not where I ought to be,
I never will be found.
 
I know that it’s a silly thing
For I’m never so lost
That You don’t know right where I am,
However blown or tossed.
 
But I would think, at this point, Lord,
I ought to know my way,
And yet here I am, one more time,
Completely gone astray!
 
Job 28:23-24
God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,
for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

Sunshine and Breezes

We tend to pray for our have nots

Forgetting what we have.
If it is sunny, we want rain,
If raining, sun’s our salve.  
 
So let me offer my thanks now,
Since I am in between.
The rain has just let go its sway,
The sun’s out to be seen.
 
I’m grateful for the warm, bright sky,
The breeze that hits the spot,
And for a chance to be thankful
Before it’s too darned hot!

Another Chance

I have to confess to You, Lord,

I’m not perfected yet.
I start each day with good intent
And end up with regret.
 
I ask You to forgive again,
What You forgave before.
I try each day to give my best
And end up failing more.
 
I don’t see how You can forgive
And watch me fail again,
But I pray You love me enough
That, one more time, You can.
 
So as the sun seeks a new dawn
I rise to face the day
Vowing to try today to do
What I failed yesterday.
 
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Times of Trouble

I keep my eyes turned toward heaven

My gaze is firmly fixed on You.
For all around me storms are rising
And I don’t know what I can do.
 
If I look one way I see evil,
The other way is dark despair.
The only thing that keeps me hopeful
Is knowing that You are still there.
 
I know hard times are not forever,
But that comfort is small and mean,
For right now I am in the middle
Of the darkest days that I’ve seen.
 
So I keep my eyes turned to heaven
And my gaze fixed firmly on You
For You are my refuge in trouble
And I have faith You’ll pull me through.
 
Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Watching Me

I know that You are watching me,

That You are always there.
And yet it’s still a sweet surprise
When You show me You care.
 
I don’t need miracles to know
That You watch over me.
The fact that I have lived this long,
Makes that point succinctly.
 
I don’t need to have answered prayers
To let me know You hear.
The answer sometimes is just, “No”
But that it’s You, is clear.
 
So, Lord, since I know You’re watching
Each little thing I do,
Help me to live my life such that
It’s most pleasing to You!

Fearless Before the Storm

With thunder rumbling on the air,

And lightening drawing near,
It flitted joyfully along
Seemingly without fear.
 
I marveled at the fearlessness,
The reckless sense of joy,
With which it braved the rising storm.
It was not cowed nor coy.
 
As if it knew it would be safe,
No matter where it sailed;
Its comings and its goings watched
By One who’s never failed.
 
Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I Tried to Hide

I tried to hide, but You found me.

You called me to Your side
And from that moment I knew, Lord,
I had no need to hide.
 
I still am who I was before,
With scars and warts and all,
But I no longer hide in shame
Since I have heard Your call.
 
I may not have it all worked out,
But, Lord, I’ll follow You.
You called me out of my darkness
That I might live anew.

Not Quite Dead, After All.

The winter had broken its heart,

Clearly the tree was dead.
I had every intention of
Tearing it from the bed.
 
But spring came on far too quickly,
Faster than I’d foreseen,
And that dead tree began to show
Some tender shoots of green.
 
And so I nursed it gently through
April and into May
When that old tree cast death aside
In life’s verdant display.
 
I learned a lesson from that tree,
That, despite scarring frost,
We ought not give up on a soul
Until it’s truly lost.
 
For even those we think beyond
Salvation’s healing scope
May still find redemption and grace.
While there is life, there’s hope.

 

The photo and the idea are from a dear friend who recognizes blessings all around her and inspires that vision in others! Thank you, CS!!

Bed of Roses

They say life’s no bed of roses,

But I say that’s not so.
For life many scatter many seeds,
But we choose which we grow.
 
You may choose weeds of bitterness,
With thorns that pierce your heart,                                     
Or blooms of anger whose fragrance
Can tear your life apart.
 
But I will choose to pick blossoms
Planted where kindness grows,
In loam of love and faithfulness
Where peace and joy repose.  
This life is filled with weeds and blooms,
For me, I’ll take the rose.  
 
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This delightful photo was gifted to us by KHL, who is always a woman to spot something delightful and praiseworthy in life. Thank you, K!!!

A Little While

The morning sun will rise again

And trek across the sky.
The evening stars will still come out
To teach your dreams to fly.
The world will still revolve around
The sun, so please don’t cry
If I am not here with you then.
One day we each must die.
 
Please do not weep when I have gone,
Remember me and smile.
For I have lived a joyful life,
If only for a while.
But just a while is all we have,
So live yours without guile
And know that I’ll hug you again
In just a little while.

This came to mind while thinking of, and missing, my parents this Father's Day. My parents always said that crying never solved anything... I think I understand that now.

The Long Journey

There’s still a long way yet to go,

And I am on the wing,
For I know where my journey leads,
Though not what it may bring.
Yet I will not turn back or hide
From what may come my way
And I will carry on in joy,
For I know that someday
I’ll rest upon heaven’s bright shore
Safe at last from all harms.
No longer weary from my quest,
Safe in my Savior’s arms.

Between Shadow and Light

We live our lives between the light

And the shadow of death.
We never know how precious is
Each and every breath.
 
The days that we have to spend here
Are not left to our count,
For God alone can know for sure
Their purpose and amount.
 
But we are given, in that time,
A chance to choose our way,
To walk within the shadowed paths
Or where the light holds sway.
 
Choose well, for more than life’s at stake,
Between shadow and light,
The choice is never easy, but
There’s only one that’s right.
 
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Hide In You

Let me hide behind You, Lord,

This day has left me scarred.
I thought that it would be busy,
But not be quite so hard.
 
I know that life is testing me,
But my strength seems so frail
I fear that, though I’m fighting on,
I’m weak enough to fail.
 
But You would not have lead me here,
Where I am needed still,
If you did not have plans for me.
Lord, I will trust Your will.
 
So when I feel that I can’t win
Please let me hide with You
Until I have the strength again
To face the world anew.  
 
Psalm 143:9
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.

My Focus

I cannot hear the words tonight

That You would have me write.
I think the world has snared me, Lord,
But I won’t quit the fight.
 
Things seem to be out of focus
In the world around me,
But I am clinging to Your Word,
And that’s clear as can be.
 
So though I may be deaf tonight,
And my eyes blurred with strain,
My focus is centered on You
And there it will remain!

Too Tired to Think

I want to write to You tonight,

It’s been one of those days,
And, while my heart is willing, Lord,
My mind can find its praise.
 
My heart is full of joy, Oh Lord,
My brain, well, not so much.
I know my heart is willing, Lord,
But my brain’s lost its touch.
 
So I am left with scattered thoughts
And a heart filled with You.
Please listen to my heart tonight,
My brain is sleeping through.

I'm sorry for the poor quality of this photo, it was taken with an old cell phone. It just seemed to fit my brain tonight....

I Sleep In Peace

I sleep in peace upon the rock,

The fortress of His Grace,
And I won’t lie awake in fear,
For God protects this place.
 
I shelter in love that won’t fail.
I’m safe in His embrace
And I won’t cower from the dark,
For God protects this place.
 
So let the sun go down tonight,
And the moon show its face.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
For God protects this place.
 
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

That Wayward Child

I was that wayward child, oh Lord,

Headstrong, going my way.
I spent so much time being lost
I thought that’s how I’d stay
 
And I have heard it often said,
With no sense of dismay,
That it is the nature of youth,
To wander far astray.
 
But I have lived a long time now,
Face to face with the truth,
And I apologize, oh Lord,
For my poorly spent youth.
 
For wandering so far astray
That You had to find me,
Instead of being in the place
Where I was meant to be.
 
But You loved me enough, oh Lord,
To call me back to You
And give me purpose in each day
Enough to see me through.
 
Though I still feel the lure sometimes
Of going my own way,
I smile, content that I have learned
I’m happier to stay.
 
Luke 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Just Be Still

I think that I will just be still.

It’s time to let things go
And simply trust that God’s in charge,
He knows what I can’t know.
 
He sees beyond my field of sight
And has a plan for me.
So, though I have to do my part,
Tonight I’ll let it be
 
And just take time to exalt Him,
To praise His holy name.
I’ll just be still and know He’s God,
Then get back in the game.
 
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Peace and the Rain

There is a peacefulness tonight,

With rain and cloudy skies.
I had forgotten peace can come
In unexpected guise.
 
We spend our days at hurried pace,
With all the how’s and why’s,
Until something precious enough
Takes us quite by surprise.
 
It carries us back to a place
Where peace lives in reprise
And we see memories of You
Mirrored in heaven’s eyes.

No Words

I wanted to cry out to You

But I could find no word.
To say what I hold in my heart,
Such words have not been heard.
I cannot speak the gratitude,
Or voice my lasting joy
For there are no words adequate
Which I can thus employ.
So, Lord please take my silence for
The words that I now seek
And know that I cry out to You
In words I cannot speak.

On the Wing

I wanted to rise up and sing,

But the night seemed so strong
That I was too afraid to fly
And I was without song.
 
And so I prayed and huddled there
Beneath the pitch black sky,
Wondering if I’d sing again,
Much less have faith to fly.
 
I sat there praying in the dark
Hoping that I’d soon see
The morning sun rise on the ridge
To share its song with me.
 
And as I prayed I realized
My prayers became the song
That I had held within my heart
Through all the dark night long.
 
I felt my wings grow strong with faith,
And, much to my surprise,
Behind me, as I sought the sky,
The sun began to rise!
 
Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Doing It Wrong

I know I’ve asked for patience, Lord,

And said, “Please, right away.”
I know I’ve asked to trust You more,
“But please do things my way.”
I know I’ve asked, “Please give me peace,
But also the last say”.
And there was the time I asked, “Please,
Lord, take my sins away.”
 
I think I’m missing the whole point
Of what I’ve asked from You.
Although I’ve done it politely,
I’ve had no follow through.
And, until I learn to give back
A heart faithful and true,
You can give me all that I ask
And I will still fail You.
 
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Be Encouraged

The world offers enough hard knocks

To fling us to the ground,
But don’t let yourself be dismayed,
For hope lies all around.
 
The Lord has seen you fall to earth
And He has heard your cry,
His love will lift you from the ground
And give you wings to fly.
 
For, we live in a broken world
That seeks to pull us low,
But we are precious to the Lord
And He won’t let us go.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Creator, Master and King

The mountain rises from its roots

And towers above earth
In peaceful stillness, wrapped in snow,
A contrast to its birth.
 
It rose in fire, rupturing
The ground from which it sprang,
Spewing death from out of its heart.
Its birth song cracked and rang.
 
It slumbers now, in fitful sleep,
Fire still in its heart.
It knows its place within the world,
Content to play its part.
 
Lord, You have shaped the mountain’s heart,
You taught it to obey,
And now it slumbers in silence.
Peace holding rage at bay.
 
You are more than creator, Lord,
Though that is no small thing.
You are the master of this world,
Its undisputed king.
 
Isaiah 43:15
I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.

This photo incredible photo is a gift from KS. What an phenomenal shot of Mt Rainier from above!

There Are No Words

I thought I could find the words to,

Declare Your majesty,
But when I tried to give them form,
No such words came to me.
 
In fact, until I saw the sun
Rising up in the sky,
I thought such words ought to exist…
But now I will not try.
 
For there are no words to express
The majesty of He
Whose hand has shaped the gold sunlight
That dances on the sea,
 
Or whose breath stirs the cold waters
And warms them with His light.
There are no words sufficient to
Define such Grace and Might.
 
1 Chronicles 29:11
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

Reflected Light

The sun rises up in the dawn

To wash the world in light,
And it reflects off of the moon
To brighten the dark night.
 
Though it is broken, cold and scarred,
The moon glows golden bright
When it reflects the sun’s glory,
Smiling in its delight.
 
Oh Lord, I’m much like that old moon,
I’m scarred and cold and plain.
I’ve lived in the dark for so long
No light seems to remain.
 
Yet, when I look to You in faith,
You touch me with Your light
And even I, lost in the dark,
Am burnished and shine bright.
 
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Abundance

I suffer from abundance, Lord,

I have more than I need.
That sometimes leads me to drop down
And, by Your grace, to plead
 
For intercession from the stress
Of handling it all.
Oh Lord, I bet You shake Your head,
Each time You hear me call.
 
You put a roof over my head
And I have food to eat,
So what if they both come with bills
That I struggle to meet.
 
I have a job that I enjoy,
While many are without,
But I could use more pay some days,
Of that, there is no doubt.
 
I have people who care for me,
I’ve never been alone,
Though there are times I’ve found that proves
My patience hasn’t grown.   
 
You’ve given me a loving dog
Who cares the world for me,
But cancer has assured that we
Will never be debt free.
 
And so I call out to You, Lord,
Embarrassed that I do,
From an abundance of the Grace
I hope You’ll see me through.